Day 1 • Saturday | Arrival to Santiago during the morning (before 11am) - Afternoon trip to Farellones and Valle Nevado
After your arrival to Santiago airport and meet your birding guide, you will be transferred to your hotel. During the afternoon we will search in the vicinity of Farellones for several Andean species including Mountain Caracara, White-sided Hillstar, Rufous-banded and Creamy-rumped Miners, Cinereous, Black-fronted, White-browed and Rufous-naped Ground-tyrants plus Greater Yellow-Finch, Grey-hooded and Band-tailed Sierra-Finch. We will also look for the endemic Chilean Tinamou and Chilean Mockingbird and we might have the chance of seeing Red-backed (Variable) Hawk and Aplomado Falcon.
Hotel Galerías or similar, Santiago (4*). (D)(G).
Day 2 • Sunday | Lampa marshes and Central coast - Aconcagua rivermouth
Early in the morning we will drive a short distance north to visit some marshes. Here our targets will be South American Painted Snipe, Rosy-billed Pochard, White-cheeked Pintail and Cocoi Heron. Later on, we will head westward to visit the scenic Chile’s Pacific coast and the productive rocky coast north of Valparaíso. Here we shall search for the endemic Chilean Seaside Cinclodes and endemic seabirds of the Humboldt Current such as Red-legged and Guanay Cormorants, Peruvian Booby, Grey Gull and the stunning Inca Tern. During the afternoon we will continue exploring the coastal areas, visiting a protected breeding colony of Humboldt Penguin; we hope to be able to see here the scarce and range-restricted Southern Sea Otter. Before ending the day will stop in a coastal marsh to see a variety of waterfowl including Red Shoveler, Yellow-billed Pintail, Speckled Teal and Chiloe Wigeon, all three lowland coot species, Spot-flanked Gallinule and Plumbeous Rail, which surprisingly is a rallid quite easy to spot as often walks in the open.
Hotel Yachting, Quintero (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 3 • Monday | La Campana National Park and Central coast
Early in the morning, we will visit La Campana National Park, where we will look for an interesting array of passerines, all endemic to Chile, Dusky-tailed Canastero, Moustached Turca, Dusky Tapaculo and White-throated Tapaculo. We are also likely to encounter the remarkable Giant Hummingbird, Striped Woodpecker, Austral Pygmy Owl and Chilean Pigeon.
Hotel Yachting, Quintero (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 4 • Tuesday | Pelagic trip from Valparaíso - Laguna El Peral Nature Reserve
Today we will make an unforgettable visit to the cold waters of the Humboldt Current, considered to be one of the world’s finest pelagic birding locations. We can expect to see a great variety of tubenoses such as Black-browed and Salvin’s Albatrosses. On recent trips we have often recorded Buller’s, Chatham, Wandering (Antipodean) and both Northern and Southern Royal albatrosses. We should also find Southern and Northern Giant Petrels, Pintado, Masatierra, White-chinned and Westland Petrels, Pink-footed, Buller’s and Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson’s Storm-petrel, and Peruvian Diving-Petrel. Other seabirds we may encounter include Red (Grey) Phalaropes, Sabine’s Gulls and Chilean Skuas. During the afternoon we will visit the Maipo rivermouth and surrounding coastal wetlands, including the exceptional El Peral Nature Reserve, where we will concentrate in finding the cryptic-coloured Stripe-backed Bittern, the brood-parasitic Black-headed Duck and the striking Many-colored Rush-Tyrant. We will also have a chance to find the scarce and local Warbling Doradito.
Hotel Galerías or similar, Santiago (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 5 • Wednesday | El Yeso Valley
We will have a full day exploring the surroundings of El Yeso reservoir in the Andean foothills, where will hopefully be rewarded with sightings of the endemic Crag Chilia plus our first Andean Condors, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, and several other Andean specialities such as Black-winged Ground-Dove, Grey-flanked Cinclodes, Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant and Yellow-rumped Siskin. Careful scanning of grasslands and streams may produce the stunning Diademed Sandpiper-plover, our main target species for the day. This is a lovely mountain spot where we will also have chances for flocking Mountain Parakeets.
Hotel Galerías or similar, Santiago (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 6 • Thursday | Drive to Talca and Vilches Alto - Altos de Lircay Nature Reserve
Early in the morning we will continue our exploration south of Santiago to seek forest-dwelling birds of the Andean slopes. Among others, today we shall be seeking for Rufous-legged Owl, Magellanic Woodpecker, White-throated Treerunner and quasi-endemic Chestnut-throated Huet-huet. Along the road we will find the opportunity to observe the largest of the tyrant-flycatchers, the Great Shrike-tyrant.
Complejo Turístico El Roble, Vilches Alto (2*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 7 • Friday | Altos de Lircay Nature Reserve - Colbun Lake - Drive to Santiago
While exploring an Andean reservoir, our search will concentrate on the endemic Dusky Tapaculo and the threatened Chilean race of the Burrowing Parrot, which usually congregates in noisy flocks. After an enjoyable morning birding in the beautiful temperate forests of Vilches Altos, will be transferred to Santiago.
Hotel Galerías or similar, Santiago (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 8 • Saturday | Morning flight to Puerto Montt - Llanquihue Lake - Drive to Puyehue National Park
Today we will take a short flight southwards to Puerto Montt, the entrance to Chile’s Lake District. The grasslands, orchards and meadows are ideal for Black-faced Ibis, the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet, Chilean Flicker, Rufous-tailed Plantcutter, Common Diuca-Finch and Grassland Yellow-Finch. During the afternoon we will aim to Puyehue National Park where we will attempt to find Black-throated Huet-huet, Ochre-flanked Tapaculo, Des Murs Wiretail and the local and rare Rufous-tailed Hawk.
Hotel Antillanca, Puyehue (3*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 9 • Sunday | Puyehue National Park
The sight of these magnificent temperate rainforests amidst the fantastic mountain backdrop is simple breathtaking. Here we will search for Green-backed Firecrown, White-throated Treerunner, White-crested Elaenia, Patagonian Tyrant plus other specialties of the Nothofagus forests.
Hotel Antillanca, Puyehue (3*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 10 • Monday | Drive to Puerto Montt - Coastal mudflats
This morning we will explore again the park’s lush rainforests in search of skulking tapaculos. During the afternoon we will be transferred to Puerto Montt. We will scan the intertidal mudflats south of Puerto Montt in search of wintering flocks of Hudsonian Godwits, Red Knots and Sanderlings plus the stocky Flightless Steamer-Duck, big flocks of Black-necked Swans and Silvery Grebes and solitary individuals of the local Snowy-crowned (Trudeau’s) Tern.
Hotel Club Presidente, Puerto Montt (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 11 • Tuesday | Morning flight to Punta Arenas - San Juan area
This morning we will take our fight to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost city. This can be a truly enjoyable plane journey as will fly over seemingly endless Patagonian icecaps, deep fjords and the rugged peaks of the southern Andes. We will bird along the coast of the Straits of Magellan looking for Flying Steamer and Crested Ducks, Kelp Goose, King and Rock Cormorant and Magellanic Oystercatcher.
Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 12 • Wednesday | Ferry crossing to Tierra del Fuego - Laguna Verde and Bahía Inútil
On our crossing to Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego, by ferry, we will enjoy the company of Black-browed Albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels and the views of Magellanic Diving-Petrel. Among our target species in Tierra del Fuego will be interesting shorebirds such as Two-banded and Magellanic Plovers and Rufous-chested Dotterel. Then we will explore the shrubby slopes and moorland of the Baquedano Hills, as we search for specialties such as Magellanic Horned Owl, Austral Canastero and the stunning Black-throated Finch.
Hostería Yendegaia, Porvenir (3*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 13 • Thursday | Ferry crossing to mainland - Pali Aike road
Today we will cross the windswept steppes of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia in search of its specialties including Ruddy-headed Goose, Least Seedsnipe, Tawny-throated Dotterel, Short-billed Miner, Band-tailed Earthcreeper and Chocolate-vented Tyrant. A short ferry ride will allow us to be on mainland once again and if we are lucky to see the striking Commerson’s Dolphin following the wake. Chilean Flamingos, Upland Goose, Coscoroba Swans, Silver Teal plus thousands of waders such as Wilson’s Phalarope, Baird’s and White-rumped Sandpipers will be common at the roadside wetlands while we explore and enjoy of the beauty of this “big sky” open country. On the journey, we should encounter Lesser Rhea, Cinereous Harrier, Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant and Patagonian Mockingbird.
Hotel Diego de Almagro, Punta Arenas (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 14 • Friday | Morning trip to Otway Sound - Afternoon flight to Santiago - End of the trip
This morning we will visit the Magellanic Penguin rookery at Otway Sound. In the rocky shores we will look for Dolphin Gulls. We will be back to Punta Arenas to take a flight towards Santiago, where our trip will ends. (B)(G).
Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category.
Birds and mammals possible to be seen during this trip
Compiled by Claudio F. Vidal, FS Expeditions
Rheas | Rheidae
Lesser Rhea Rhea pennata
Tinamous | Tinamidae
Chilean Tinamou Nothoprocta perdicaria
Penguins | Spheniscidae
Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti
Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus
Grebes | Podicipedidae
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
White-tufted Grebe Rollandia rolland
Great Grebe Podiceps major
Silvery Grebe Podiceps occipitalis
Albatrosses | Diomedeidae
Antipodean Albatros Diomedea antipodensis
Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora
Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris
Buller's Albatross Thalassarche bulleri
Salvin's Albatross Thalassarche salvini
Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita
Shearwaters & Petrels | Procellariidae
Antarctic Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus
Hall's Giant Petrel Macronectes halli
Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides
Cape Petrel Daption capense
Juan Fernandez Petrel Pterodroma externa
Defilippe's Petrel Pterodroma defilippiana
White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis
Westland Petrel Procellaria westlandica
Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
Storm-Petrels | Hydrobatidae
Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus
Diving-Petrels | Pelecanoididae
Peruvian Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides garnotii
Magellanic Diving-Petrel Pelecanoides magellani
Pelicans | Pelecanidae
Peruvian Pelican Pelecanus thagus
Gannets & Boobies | Sulidae
Peruvian Booby Sula variegata
Cormorants | Phalacrocoracidae
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Rock Shag Phalacrocorax magellanicus
Guanay Cormorant Phalacrocorax bougainvillii
Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps
Red-legged Cormorant Phalacrocorax gaimardi
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns | Ardeidae
Cocoi Heron Ardea cocoi
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Stripe-backed Bittern Ixobrychus involucris
Ibises & Spoonbills | Threskiornithidae
Black-faced Ibis Theristicus melanopis
Flamingos | Phoenicopteridae
Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis
Ducks, Geese & Swans | Anatidae
Black-necked Swan Cygnus melanocorypha
Coscoroba Swan Coscoroba coscoroba
Upland Goose Chloephaga picta
Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida
Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala
Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps
Flightless Steamerduck Tachyeres pteneres
Flying Steamerduck Tachyeres patachonicus
Torrent Duck Merganetta armata
Chiloe Wigeon Anas sibilatrix
Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris
Spectacled Duck Anas specularis
Crested Duck Anas specularioides
Yellow-billed Pintail Anas georgica
White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis
Silver Teal Anas versicolor
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera
Red Shoveler Anas platalea
Rosy-billed Pochard Netta peposaca
Black-headed Duck Heteronetta atricapilla
Andean Duck Oxyura ferruginea
Lake Duck Oxyura vittata
New World Vultures | Cathartidae
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Andean Condor Vultur gryphus
Hawks, Eagles & Kites | Accipitridae
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Cinereous Harrier Circus cinereus
Chilean Hawk Accipiter chilensis
Harris' Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus
Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle Geranoaetus melanoleucus
Variable Hawk Buteo polyosoma
Falcons & Caracaras | Falconidae
Mountain Caracara Phalcoboenus megalopterus
White-throated Caracara Phalcoboenus albogularis*
Southern Crested Caracara Caracara plancus
Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
New World Quails | Odontophoridae
California Quail Callipepla californica
Rails, Gallinules & Coots | Rallidae
Austral Rail Rallus antarcticus*
Plumbeous Rail Pardirallus sanguinolentus
Spot-flanked Gallinule Gallinula melanops
White-winged Coot Fulica leucoptera
Red-gartered Coot Fulica armillata
Red-fronted Coot Fulica rufifrons
Painted-Snipes | Rostratulidae
American Painted-snipe Rostratula semicollaris
Oystercatchers | Haematopodidae
Magellanic Oystercatcher Haematopus leucopodus
Blackish Oystercatcher Haematopus ater
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
Avocets & Stilts | Recurvirostridae
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Plovers & Lapwings | Charadriidae
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
Collared Plover Charadrius collaris
Two-banded Plover Charadrius falklandicus
Rufous-chested Dotterel Charadrius modestus
Diademed Sandpiper-Plover Phegornis mitchellii
Tawny-throated Dotterel Oreopholus ruficollis
Magellanic Plover | Pluvianellidae
Magellanic Plover Pluvianellus socialis
Sandpipers & Allies | Scolopacidae
South American Snipe Gallinago paraguaiae
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Surfbird Aphriza virgata
Red Knot Calidris canutus
Sanderling Calidris alba
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis
Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii
Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria
Seedsnipes | Thinocoridae
Gray-breasted Seedsnipe Thinocorus orbignyianus
Least Seedsnipe Thinocorus rumicivorus
Sheathbills | Chionidae
Snowy Sheathbill Chionis alba
Skuas & Jaegers | Stercoraridae
Chilean Skua Stercorarius chilensis
South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus
Gulls | Laridae
Dolphin Gull Larus scoresbii
Band-tailed Gull Larus belcheri
Gray Gull Larus modestus
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Brown-hooded Gull Larus maculipennis
Andean Gull Larus serranus
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
Elegant Tern Sterna elegans
South American Tern Sterna hirundinacea
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
Snowy-crowned Tern Sterna trudeaui
Inca Tern Larosterna inca
Skimmers | Rhynchopidae
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
Doves & Pigeons | Columbidae
Rock Dove Columba livia
Chilean Pigeon Columba araucana
Eared Dove Zenaida auriculata
Picui Ground-Dove Columbina picui
Black-winged Ground-Dove Metriopelia melanoptera
Parrots, Macaws & Allies | Psittacidae
Austral Parakeet Enicognathus ferrugineus
Slender-billed Parakeet (E) Enicognathus leptorhynchus
Mountain Parakeet Psilopsiagon aurifrons
Barn Owls | Tytonidae
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Typical Owls | Strigidae
Magellanic Horned Owl Bubo magellanicus
Rufous-legged Owl Strix rufipes
Austral Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium nanum
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Nightjars & Allies | Caprimulgidae
Band-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longirostris
Hummingbirds | Trochilidae
White-sided Hillstar Oreotrochilus leucopleurus
Giant Hummingbird Patagona gigas
Green-backed Firecrown Sephanoides sephaniodes
Kingfishers | Alcedinidae
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Woodpeckers & Allies | Picidae
Striped Woodpecker Picoides lignarius
Chilean Flicker Colaptes pitius
Magellanic Woodpecker Campephilus magellanicus
Ovenbirds | Furnariidae
Common Miner Geositta cunicularia
Short-billed Miner Geositta antarctica
Rufous-banded Miner Geositta rufipennis
Creamy-rumped Miner Geositta isabellina
Scale-throated Earthcreeper Upucerthia dumetaria
Straight-billed Earthcreeper Upucerthia ruficauda
Band-tailed Earthcreeper Eremobius phoenicurus
Crag Chilia (E) Chilia melanura
Chilean Seaside Cinclodes (E) Cinclodes nigrofumosus
Dark-bellied Cinclodes Cinclodes patagonicus
Gray-flanked Cinclodes Cinclodes oustaleti
Bar-winged Cinclodes Cinclodes fuscus
Des Murs' Wiretail Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii
Thorn-tailed Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda
Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail Leptasthenura aegithaloides
Wren-like Rushbird Phleocryptes melanops
Lesser Canastero Asthenes pyrrholeuca
Dusky-tailed Canastero (E) Asthenes humicola
Cordilleran Canastero Asthenes modesta
Austral Canastero Asthenes anthoides
White-throated Treerunner Pygarrhichas albogularis
Tapaculos | Rhinocryptidae
Black-throated Huet-huet Pteroptochos tarnii
Moustached Turca (E) Pteroptochos megapodius
White-throated Tapaculo (E) Scelorchilus albicollis
Chucao Tapaculo Scelorchilus rubecula
Ochre-flanked Tapaculo Eugralla paradoxa
Magellanic Tapaculo Scytalopus magellanicus
Dusky Tapaculo (E) Scytalopus fuscus
Plantcutters | Phytotomidae
Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Phytotoma rara
Tyrant Flycatchers | Tyrannidae
White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps
Tufted Tit-Tyrant Anairetes parulus
Many-colored Rush-Tyrant Tachuris rubrigastra
Warbling Doradito Pseudocolopteryx flaviventris
Patagonian Tyrant Colorhamphus parvirostris
Fire-eyed Diucon Xolmis pyrope
Chocolate-vented Tyrant Neoxolmis rufiventris
Black-billed Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis montana
Great Shrike-Tyrant Agriornis livida
Spot-billed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola maculirostris
Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola macloviana
Cinnamon-bellied Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola capistrata
Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola rufivertex
White-browed Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola albilora
Cinereous Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola cinerea
Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola flavinucha
Black-fronted Ground-Tyrant Muscisaxicola frontalis
Austral Negrito Lessonia rufa
Spectacled Tyrant Hymenops perspicillatus
Swallows | Hirundinidae
Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni
Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Wagtails & Pipits | Motacillidae
Correndera Pipit Anthus correndera
Wrens | Troglodytidae
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis
Mockingbirds & Thrashers | Mimidae
Patagonian Mockingbird Mimus patagonicus
Chilean Mockingbird (E) Mimus thenca
Thrushes & Allies | Turdidae
Austral Thrush Turdus falcklandii
Old World Sparrows | Passeridae
House Sparrow ( I ) Passer domesticus
Siskins, Crossbills & Allies | Fringillidae
Black-chinned Siskin Carduelis barbata
Yellow-rumped Siskin Carduelis uropygialis
Buntings, Sparrows & Allies | Emberizidae
Gray-hooded Sierra-Finch Phrygilus gayi
Patagonian Sierra-Finch Phrygilus patagonicus
Mourning Sierra-Finch Phrygilus fruticeti
Plumbeous Sierra-Finch Phrygilus unicolor
Band-tailed Sierra-Finch Phrygilus alaudinus
Canary-winged Finch Melanodera melanodera
Yellow-bridled Finch Melanodera xanthogramma*
Common Diuca-Finch Diuca diuca
Grassland Yellow-Finch Sicalis luteola
Greater Yellow-Finch Sicalis auriventris
Patagonian Yellow-Finch Sicalis lebruni
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Troupials & Allies | Icteridae
Yellow-winged Blackbird Agelaius thilius
Long-tailed Meadowlark Sturnella loyca
Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis
Austral Blackbird Curaeus curaeus
MAMMALS
Old World Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus
Brown Hare Lepus capensis
Degu Octodon degu
Nutria Myocastor coypus
Peale's Dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis
Commerson's Dolphin Cephalorhynchus commersonii
Southern Grey Fox Pseudalopex griseus
Culpeo Fox Pseudalopex culpaeus
Patagonian Hog-nosed Skunk Conepatus humboldti
Marine Otter Lutra felina
Southern Sea Lion Otaria byronia
Guanaco Lama guanicoe
Southern Andean Deer Hippocamelus bisulcus*